Order Your Drinks Like A Local and other Barking Town, United Kingdom Local Custom Tips

While you are in Barking Town, you might as well have a drink (or 4) in a pub which regularly features in the "UK Good Beer Guide".

This year it has also just been voted the CAMRA (Campagn for Real Ale) London Pub of the Year 2007. Believe me that is quite an honour !!!

The pub in question is called the Britannia. (Address below but also see my separate nightlife tip for more detailed information, directions etc).

I can heartily recommend all 3 of the draught real ales on offer. These are "Wells Bombadier", Young's Special" and "Young's Bitter". (Wells Brewery has recently merged with Young's Brewery and together they are now known as the "Wells Youngs Brewing Company" - How inventive is that - NOT ! - Haha !)

So that's a bit of background for you ... Now here is my "VT Local Custom Tip"

In many Young's pubs, like the Britannia, local drinkers often combine two different beers in the same one pint glass. Popular combinations are:

A Light and Bitter — half a pint of Young's Bitter & a 275ml bottle of Light Ale.
A Mix — half a pint of Young's Bitter & half a pint of Young's Special.
A Ram and Special — half a pint of Young's Special & a 275ml bottle of Ram Rod.

Stroll up to the bar with a crisp 10 pound note in your hand. Put your shoulders back and gather yourself up to your full height. Catch the bartender's eye and clearly say in your best Cockney accent .....

"Gimme a cold Light and Bitt-ah and a Ram 'n' Special please, mate/love" (depending on the sex of the bartender) .... Straight glasses, ok - ta ! (Thus indicating that you do not want your drinks served in a heavy old glass tankard.)

If English is your 2nd language, practise this a few times first to make sure you get both the accent, the eye contact and the waving of the tenner abosulutely perfect.

Don't worry if you don't get right first time - Keep trying and after 4 or 5 pints you will be much better.

Britannia Public House
1 Church Road
Barking
Essex
0871 984 4449

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Website: http://www.youngs.co.uk/
Other Contact: http://www.wellsandyoungs.co.uk/